With 2022 just around the corner hopefully your thoughts are turning to what you’re going to achieve in the New Year.
When starting to set goals you need to work through a few simple steps:
- Consider what you want to achieve
Start off by creating your “big picture” of what you want to do with your life and identify the large-scale goals that you want to achieve. The next thing to consider is breaking those bigger goals in to bitesize chunks, which allows you to focus on the positive achievements, rather than what you’ve failed to do in a set period of time. Once you have this in place you can start on a plan!
- Create goals for different areas of your life
None of us have just one element of our lives that defines who we are, it’s all of these elements put together that makes each of us unique, so your goals should reflect that. Whether your focus is relationships, career, mental wellbeing, health and fitness, financial or any other area of your life – if you set one or two goals in each of them, you’re bound to see a ripple effect in every area.
- Set yourself some long term, medium term & short term goals
Breaking your goals down in to 6 month, 1 year, 5 year and even 10 year goals, will keep you focussed and motivated! The more short-term goals you achieved, the more likely you are to be on track to achieving those longer-term goals. It’s not rocket science!
- Create a plan of action or to-do list that will help you reach these goals
Not only will a well-formed to-do list help keep you on track, but ticking actions off your list will keep you in a positive mindset and spur you on to move forward with your goals!
- Write down, review and update your goals on a regular basis to help keep you on track
Resolutions that aren’t written down are destined to fail quickly. So write them out, and not just anywhere. Keep your list of goals in a place where you will see them regularly, so you can review your progress and recommit on a consistent basis.
- Make your goals SMART
A useful way to think about your goals and make them more powerful is to be SMART:
- Specific (or Significant)
- Measurable (or Meaningful)
- Attainable (or Action-Orientated)
- Relevant (or Rewarding)
- Time-bound (or Trackable)
Too often, people set goals that are vague and unrealistic. Not only does this lead to frustration, but it also decreases the likelihood of actually achieving the goal.
- Reward yourself!
Finally, the best bit! When you’ve achieved a goal take time to enjoy the achievement and reward yourself appropriately for having reached your desired target. You’ll be much more inclined to set resolutions next year if you can remember the thrill and the reward of accomplishing goals.
Remember that change doesn’t come overnight, but as you work toward developing what is important to you, the change will come, and it will be lasting.
And if you need help with achieving your business goals, don’t forget that Social Progress are here to help; whether it’s digital marketing, social media training or putting an online strategy in place, we can help you achieve those short and long-term goals! Contact a member of the Social Progress team on 01484 506336 or at info@socialprogress.co.uk